Comparison Educate me: compact versus utility

[daTeacha]

Based on the frame thing, a B7100, which has no frame but a 48" wheelbase and 16 engine hp would be a utility tractor. Here all along I thought it was a subcompact. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I agree that it's more of a marketing tool than anything else. Name it what sells, regardless of how it looks.

 

[Soundguy]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Compacts are built on steel A frames in which you mount the engine and transmission. Whereas in a utility tractor, you would couple the engine to the transmission to the differential and that would be your integral frame, no external frame. I have found that to be my own indicator to make the distinction.
)</font>

That's a very weak and narrow rule of thumb... virtually useless... Tons of scut and cut are frameless.. just relying ont he engine and tranny as frames. That's not a 'new' thing either.. goes way back into the antiques.

Though i don't have 'numbers' in front of me.. I'd wager there are more frameless tractors than with frames.. etc..

Soundguy

 

[foreman81]

Yes perhaps some older compact machines weres built like that back in the day. However virtually all newer CUTs are built on ladder frames; my reference is for the newer stuff beign offered (should have mentioned).

But yes there are exceptions, no doubt...

In fact, I recall seeying old Ford compacts built on trannies/engines combos for frames.

 

[Glenn9643]

However virtually all newer CUTs are built on ladder frames; my reference is for the newer stuff beign offered

Don't know where you are or what you've been looking at, but I don't recall seeing any built on a ladder frame. Maybe I'm just wearing hames and don't see anything but my MF.

 

[Soundguy]

I'm with glen. I rode around today and not a single tractor at my MF and NH dealer site had any frame rails...

None of my tractors have rails.. that covers red, green ( 2 kinds ), orange, blue.. old and new.

I justr don't see rails on cut's as being as so overwhelmingly common as you are claiming.... and I'm also talking new tractors.. etc.

Soundguy

 

[Egon]

Don't worry about definitions Frank. Use the superlative! Just think largest to smallest or smallest to largest. Got it all covered with one word "TRACTOR" /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Egon /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[JerryG]

Does anyone other than Kubota have ladder frames? I don't think that Kubota uses the ladder except on the smaller lighter tractors, do they? I know that they are the only ones that I have noticed that had them.

 

[daTeacha]

A 50's WD-45 has a frame, an 8N doesn't. My Cadet 109 has a frame, as does the 1250. One has drive shaft and is a garden tractor, the other has belt drive and is lawn tractor or mower. Both cut the lawn but only one is used for other things. My B7100 is only marginally bigger than the 109 (either would fit into a full size pickup bed) but has no frame and no mower. It is definitely a tractor (although a little one) since it has a 3 point, rear PTO with 3 speeds, 4 wheel drive, takes a loader, and has a diesel engine.

 

[JerryG]

I should have said, SCUT or CUT tractors.

 

[Soundguy]

.. etc.

As for allis.. a few AC did use frame rails.. ets

Soundguy

 

[Charlie_in_TX]

Soundguy, this is not aimed at you you were just at the end of the line.

Many have given 'rules of thumb' of what is a utility and what is a compact. Why many are mostly true, all have exceptions. So the line is blured to say the least. It is obvious that it is best to define the purpose of the machine then pick a machine/dealer that fills those needs. Let someone else determine if it is a utility or compact.

I have a Mahindra 2615. Origianaly I used is as a light (can you say that of a 3000# + tractor) utility, removing trees and leaveling dirt with ocational mowing. Now I use it as a compact, mowing with ocational post hole digging and dirt work.